Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has served as the 17th Chief Justice of the United States since 2005. Born on January 27, 1955, in Buffalo, New York, he earned his A.B. from Harvard College in 1976 and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1979. Before ascending to the Supreme Court, Roberts clerked for Judge Henry J. Friendly and later for Associate Justice William H. Rehnquist.
Recent Developments:
- Rebuke of President Trump’s Remarks: Chief Justice Roberts recently issued a rare public statement rebuking President Donald Trump for suggesting the impeachment of a federal judge who ruled against the administration’s deportation efforts. Roberts emphasized that impeachment is “not an appropriate response” to disagreements with judicial decisions, underscoring the importance of judicial independence.
- Influence on Presidential Power: Roberts has played a significant role in delineating the scope of presidential authority. In Trump v. United States (2024), he authored the majority opinion granting presidents absolute immunity for official acts within their constitutional duties, while distinguishing this from unofficial acts, which do not enjoy such protection.
- Impact on Voting Rights: In Shelby County v. Holder (2013), Roberts wrote the majority opinion that invalidated key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, removing the requirement for certain states and localities with histories of racial discrimination to obtain federal preclearance before changing voting laws. This decision has had lasting implications for voting rights across the country.
These developments highlight Chief Justice Roberts’ influential role in shaping U.S. law and his commitment to maintaining the judiciary’s independence.